Checkrein safety-loop



(No Model.)

- J. OBRIEN.

CHEGKREIN SAFETY LOOP.

No. 431,672. Patented July 8, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES OBRIEN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

CHECKREIN SAFETY-LOOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,672, dated July 8, 1890.

Application filed February 3, 1890. Serial No. 339,073. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES OBRIEN, of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Oheckrein Safety-Loops, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to means for securing the checkrein of a bridle to the saddle of the harness, so that the throwing of the horses head or other ways of slackening up and jerking of the checkrein will not loosen it from the hook on the saddle of the harness. I accomplish this result by using what I term a double loop, one loop adapted to receive the checkrein and also pass over the hook of the saddle. and constructed, in the manner hereinafter fully described, so as to force a second loop which is provided, encircling the first between the checkrein and the saddle hook of the harness backward against the saddle-horn, so that the loop which is hooked over the saddle-hook is held so closely that it cannot be removed without first slipping the encircling loop back away from the saddle, which cannot be done by any movement of the checkrein occasioned by the action of the horse, all of which is hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved checkrein safetyloop. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof without the checkrein or saddle hook. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same, showing a modified form of construction.

In the drawings, 2 represents the cheekrein of a bridle; 3, the saddle of a harness; 5, the hook or horn of the saddle; 7, a loop, preferably constructed of leather, and with the forward part or end 9 of sufficient transverse strength to resist bending. The required transverse strength of theend 9 may be ob tained by various means; but I prefer to rivet the two ends of the piece of leather forming the loop together, the rivets re-enforcing the leather and stiifening it so it will not bend. Another method is to insert another piece of leather, when the ends may be sewed together with the additional strip of leather between, or by using a strip of metal in lieu of the leather to re-enforce it with, the ends being secured together either by sewing or rivets, as desired. The rear portion of the loop 10, forming the part adapted to be hooked onto the hook 5 of the saddle 3, is preferably constructed of a single piece or thickness of the -leather, making it somewhat flexible. A sliploop 11 is provided, adapted to encircle the loop 7 near the end 10 to fit closely, so as not to fall off when the loop 7 is removed from the hook 5. I prefer to construct the sliploop 11 solid by stamping it out of suitable leather,'though it may be made in any other .manner or out of any other material without departing from my invention.

In using a device constructed in this mannor the checkrein 2 is secured through the loop 7 around the forward re-enforced part 9, and preferably held in place in the ordinary manner by means of the box-loop 8. The slip-loop 11 is then put onto the loop 7 at the end 10 and slipped up on it toward the end 9, so as to permit the end 10 being spread open so as to .be hooked over the hook 5 on the saddle 3 of the harness. When the loop 7 is hooked onto the hook 5, the slip-loop 11 is pressed up against it, holding the end 10 of the loop 7 closely to the hook 5 and preventing it from being displaced.

When in use a horse throws its head back, loosening the checkrein, the slip-loop 11 is not allowed to slip back away from the hook 5, thereby allowing the end 10 of the loop 7 to become loose and easily detached, but is held securely in place by means of the triangular shape of the loop 7 between the sliploop 11 and the end 9, which being of sufficiently transverse strength to resist bending always retains the triangular shape of the loop. The slip-loop 11,being made to closely fit it at the angle, cannot be slipped forward without using other than the ordinary action brought to bear on it while in use. By constructing the loop 7 with the forward part9 of sufficient transverse strength to resist bending, it brings an even pull upon the checkrein in the center as well as at the edges, where it passes through the loop 7, thereby preventing the injury occasioned by using a loop which is flexible at this part. In such cases when a pull or strain is made on the loop strip forming the loop riveted together, the end 10, adapted to be passed over the hook 5, and the slip-loop 11, enoiroling said loop 7, substantially as pose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of January, 1890.

JAMES OBRIEN.

In presence of A. 0. PAUL, S. W. ROBERTS.

described, and for the pur-- 

